i knit first before crochet. you can do it. in fact, i keep crochet for when my carpal tunnel is acting up and i can't knit.

i have the most fun crocheting big stuff, rag strips, for example. try something thicker, like twine or rope, til you can see on a large scale what you're doing. i tend to crochet and knit everything in fine black yarn and then wonder why i get confused.... try something bigger and see if it helps you understand (said as a totally visual learner....)

I like that idea! I'll try it out. Thanks!

_________________I like my bagels like I like my men - big and covered with earth balance & nooch. - Bunniee

Yeah! All of the complaints seemed to be regarding the errors in the patterns, though. It looks like a lot of people had success with learning to crochet from it, so maybe I'll use it to learn how and get patterns from somewhere else.

_________________"One time I meant to send a potential employer a resume, but I accidentally sent them a bucket of puke!

Yeah! All of the complaints seemed to be regarding the errors in the patterns, though. It looks like a lot of people had success with learning to crochet from it, so maybe I'll use it to learn how and get patterns from somewhere else.

yeah, that's a good idea! i've only made one pattern from it, I think, but the beginning section makes it totally worth it. plus, there's a pattern by Kittee in it!

_________________I am not a troll. I am TELLING YOU THE ******GOD'S TRUTH****** AND YOU JUST DON'T WANT THE HEAR IT DO YOU?

Yeah! All of the complaints seemed to be regarding the errors in the patterns, though. It looks like a lot of people had success with learning to crochet from it, so maybe I'll use it to learn how and get patterns from somewhere else.

I have it, but I haven't been successful learning so far, a girl at work thinks it might be because I'm left handed, but there's a work stitch n' bisque every Monday night, so next week I think I'll start going and learn! The host is also left handed and said she'd teach me.

_________________I was really surprised the first time I saw a penis. After those banana tutorials, I was expecting something so different. -Tofulish

Hey PPK! Could you guys recommend a good book for learning how to crochet? I'm a beginner. I was initially going to get the Stitch 'n B*tch book, but the reviews on Amazon really put me off.

I learned from this book. It is still my go to resource for crochet; you don't need much else. It was really easy, although I think it helped that I had been knitting for several years before I tried to teach myself. Most knitting and crochet books have tons of errors in the patterns. Get in the habit of googling the title of the book and "errata" before you start a project. That book has been out so long, probably the new prints have the corrections incorporated. It's the first printing that is always a pain in the asparagus.

I too love the Happy Hooker book, it is my resource and the only book I've ever needed, yet some of the patterns have failed me. For example no matter how many times I tried the cowgirl/boy hat it never worked out quite right and some of the toque patterns came out too small/short. However, the bunny slippers were a big hit, and the patterns are a good range in difficulty from simple pot holders to blazers.

_________________"I'm in your vagina, lurkin on your garlics!" - paprikapapaya"My vagina won't even come to the table because she's out fighting crime under the name The Pink Boom." - idatetattooedguys

My Nana taught me to crochet when I was little, then I relearned through books and videos as an adult.

My crochet got infintitely better when I learned the following: There's always another stitch on the end. Rows tend to end with a V and then a sort of crooked bit. That crooked bit IS your last stitch. If you don't use it your piece is going to shrink and shrink.

Also, there are two types of crochet patterns: Ones that suck and ones that don't. You aren't going to find out which is which until you try them, and you get really angry because something looks NOTHING like it was supposed to. Fortunately it's easy to unravel. I can do any 3D object freehand, but some things NEED patterns (like clothing!) and it can be really frustrating to find a good one.

I taught myself to knit after crochet and find knitting much harder, but I'm getting better.

A few hats I made. They go to clients at my office (I work at a non-profit law office that serves the very, very poor). Sorry for the photo quality--red tablecloth + reddish brown hardwood floors = all pictures turn out reddish. There's probably an adjustment on my camera but I'm too lazy to figure it out.

_________________"I'm in your vagina, lurkin on your garlics!" - paprikapapaya"My vagina won't even come to the table because she's out fighting crime under the name The Pink Boom." - idatetattooedguys

Muppet! I love the cherry toque & the orange one. Are they your own patterns or did you find them online? I've been making the same style toques and want to try some new ones.

They're both from ravelry. The orange one is called Seismic and cost money. I don't normally pay for hat patterns, but this used a stitch technique I didn't know so I justified the expense that way. The other is called Very Cherry Pixie Hat and is FREE! Stitch on!

So, while I was at Joanns on Friday picking up fleece for my cat beds, I decided hey, I'm ready to learn how to crochet. I bought this book: Cute & Easy Crochet: http://www.amazon.com/Cute-Easy-Crochet ... 1907563202 . Cute indeed! Easy, well.... I just have to learn how to get started. YouTube is my friend. But I'm definitely picking up a copy of stitch & bisque book today. So far, all I've managed to do is a slip knot. ; ) I thought I was doing a chain, but it all unravelled. I don't know. Practice makes perfect, right?

PS: I tried to learn how to knit five years ago or so and failed miserably, but I'm a lot more determined now. Go team crochet!

I'm so excited to say that I got the slip knot down and the chain stitch down! I'm watching youtube videos about single crochet stitch now. Cute handmade things are in my future! I want to add crocheted catnip toys to my shop.